How to redeem a Nintendo eShop card: Switch, Switch 2 and the web

A Nintendo eShop card adds funds to your Nintendo Account. You can spend them in the Nintendo eShop on games, add-on content and a Nintendo Switch Online membership. According to Nintendo, eShop cards, download codes and Switch Online membership codes are all redeemed the same way.

Check your account's country first

eShop funds belong to your Nintendo Account's country. Nintendo says your account must be set to a country where the Nintendo eShop is available to redeem a code. Before buying, check your country at accounts.nintendo.com and match the card to your account: a US card for a US account, a German card for a German account, and so on. Our gift card region article explains why this matters.

Redeeming on the console (Switch and Switch 2)

1. Make sure the console is connected to the internet.
2. Open Nintendo eShop from the HOME Menu.
3. Select the user you want to redeem the code for, and enter your password or PIN if user verification is on.
4. Select Enter Code on the left of the screen.
5. Type the 16-character code and select OK.

Nintendo codes never use the letters O, I or Z, or hyphens, and those keys are disabled on the keyboard.

Redeeming in a browser

If you're away from your console:

1. Go to ec.nintendo.com/redeem and sign in with your Nintendo Account. Check that the right account is shown at the top right.
2. Enter the 16-character code and select Next.
3. Re-enter your password if asked, then select Redeem.

Your account must have opened the eShop on a Switch or Switch 2 at least once for this to work. Nintendo sends a confirmation to your account's email address after redemption.

A common mistake

Some cards show two numbers: a Download Code and a Control Number. Enter the Download Code, which usually starts with a B and has no hyphens. The Control Number, which usually starts with an S and has hyphens, is not a code.

Switch 2-only content

If you try to redeem a code for content that only plays on Switch 2 on an original Switch, you'll see an error saying the code is for Switch 2 only. eShop funds and Switch Online codes have no such split.

If the code still fails

Check your account's country and that you typed the code correctly. Our code not working article walks you through the next steps.

Nintendo cards

eShop cards and Switch Online memberships for your account's country are on our Nintendo page. Every card is on the gift cards page.

Sources: Nintendo Support: How to redeem a code on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Support: Redeem a code online. Steps are as given on Nintendo's support pages; menu names can differ with your console's language.